Affordable Housing

What is affordable housing?

Affordable housing

Affordable housing is for households who need their own home but cannot afford to rent or buy a suitable one locally. It covers everything from social rented housing (e.g. council housing) to shared ownership housing for first time buyers.

Affordable housing can be provided to households who are eligible because their needs are not met by the open market. There are a number of different types of affordable housing available in Craven, information on them and how to apply is below.

Social rented housing

Social rented housing is owned and let by Registered Providers. These homes are offered at the lowest rents which are set by the national rent regime.

Affordable rented housing

Affordable rented housing is also owned and let by Registered Providers. The homes are managed and maintained in the same way as social rented homes, but higher rents can be charged (up to 80% of open market rent).

Applying for a home to rent

Most social and affordable rented housing is allocated through North Yorkshire Homechoice. In order to be considered for both social and rented housing you will need to register and be accepted as being in housing need with North Yorkshire Home Choice. For more information and to apply please visit North Yorkshire Home Choice.

Intermediate Housing - including Shared Ownership

Intermediate housing includes homes both to rent and to buy. This form of housing is aimed at those households who can't afford open market properties but can afford more than social rents. Intermediate housing is homes for sale and rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market levels subject to the criteria in the Affordable Housing definition above. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equity loans), other low cost homes for sale and intermediate rent, but not affordable rented housing.